New findings from the STADA Health Report 2026 point to strong public confidence in pharmacists and underline the importance of supporting the teams who deliver accessible, personal care every day
Following World Pharmacists Day in September, October provides an opportunity to reflect on the contribution community pharmacy makes to healthcare in Ireland. Community pharmacies combine professional expertise, local knowledge and personal interaction, making them one of the most accessible points of contact within the healthcare system.
At Clonmel Healthcare, we see this public confidence as recognition of pharmacists’ expertise and pharmacy teams’ daily work. It also underlines the importance of constructive partnerships that support continuity of care and help professionals focus on patients.
What the research tells us
The recently published STADA Health Report 2026 is an annual survey of almost 20,000 respondents across 20 European countries. This year’s research included a representative sample of 501 Irish adults.
In Ireland, the proportion of respondents who said they rely on pharmacists to guide their personal health decisions increased significantly from 34% in 2025 to 65% in 2026. This notable change provides a useful snapshot of public confidence in pharmacists and the services provided by community pharmacy teams.
The enduring value of face-to-face care
Digital tools, online services and remote consultations have become familiar parts of everyday life. However, the report suggests that many Irish respondents continue to value speaking with a pharmacist in person.
Seventy per cent of Irish respondents said they preferred in-person pharmacist consultations, compared with a European average of 61%. In addition, 59% preferred to purchase over-the-counter health products directly from a local physical pharmacy, compared with 10% who would choose an online vendor.
For many people, a face-to-face conversation allows them to ask questions, discuss individual concerns and receive advice in a familiar local setting. Pharmacists can explain how medicines should be used, identify potential concerns and signpost patients to other healthcare professionals where appropriate.
The findings highlight how digital and in-person care can complement one another, while personal interaction remains particularly important for many health-related conversations.
Public interest in repeat-prescription services
The report also explored public views on possible future pharmacy services. Fifty-one per cent of Irish adults surveyed said they would support pharmacists issuing repeat prescriptions, compared with a European average of 39%. This was the highest proportion recorded among the countries included in the research.
The result reflects significant public interest in how pharmacy services may contribute to continuity of care. It is an expression of public sentiment, rather than a recommendation about how services should be organised or delivered.
Any future development of such services should be shaped through engagement with pharmacists, pharmacy teams, patients, prescribers and regulators. Their practical experience is essential to decisions about clinical governance, training, information-sharing, workload and sustainable funding.
Pharmacists and pharmacy colleagues already provide advice on medicines, help people understand how to use treatments and support patients with ongoing health needs. Their contribution is an important part of the day-to-day healthcare experience for people across Ireland.
An evolving role in local communities
Forty-two per cent of Irish adults surveyed said they would like access to 24/7 pharmacy opening hours with consultation services, placing Ireland third among the countries surveyed for this potential service. These responses suggest that convenience, local access and professional advice matter to many people, while the practical realities of staffing and sustainable delivery also need to be recognised.
The Common Conditions Scheme is one example of the services now available through community pharmacy, alongside advice on minor ailments, medicines information, vaccination services and support with the safe use of treatments. Different services will suit different communities, but pharmacists remain central to providing accessible, personal advice.
Supporting Irish pharmacy teams through partnership
Pharmacy services depend on the people delivering them and on dependable access to medicines. Reliable supply arrangements help pharmacists, technicians, assistants and other colleagues maintain continuity for the people they serve.
At Clonmel Healthcare, we see pharmacists and pharmacy teams as partners in the shared goal of supporting patients. We work alongside colleagues by listening to their needs, communicating clearly and supporting dependable access to medicines.
Clonmel Healthcare has worked alongside Irish pharmacists for 56 years. As the leading supplier of generic medicines by value and volume*, distributing more than 28 million packs annually**, we take our responsibility to Irish pharmacy teams seriously. We value our relationships with pharmacists and recognise the expertise, care and professionalism they bring to their work every day.
Our Guaranteed Irish accreditation reflects our long-standing commitment to Irish healthcare, employment and the communities in which we operate. Partnership is two-way: pharmacy teams bring professional insight and local knowledge, while suppliers must be responsive, reliable and willing to listen.
A shared responsibility for the future
The STADA Health Report provides a timely snapshot of attitudes towards community pharmacy in Ireland. Taken together, the findings highlight public interest in face-to-face consultations, pharmacists’ expertise and the future contribution of pharmacy services. Clonmel Healthcare is proud to work in partnership with Irish pharmacy teams as they continue to support their communities.
*IQVIA IRLP UN/MAT/MAR/24 and EUR/MAT/MAR/24
**Data on File, July 2026
